Herbs for Joint Pain and Arthritis: What Research Shows
What NCCIH, EU regulators and reviews found for turmeric, boswellia, devil's claw and willow bark in joint pain and osteoarthritis, with liver, bleeding and tainted-product warnings first.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
Stop turmeric or curcumin and talk to a clinician right away if you notice fatigue, nausea, poor appetite, dark urine or yellow skin or eyes. NCCIH says liver damage has been reported in some people who consumed curcumin formulations made to be absorbed better. [1]
Other warnings that apply to this topic:
- Willow bark is related to aspirin-type medicines. The EU herbal committee says it may increase the effects of anticoagulants such as coumarin derivatives, should not be combined with salicylates or other NSAIDs without medical advice, and is contraindicated for people under 18 and in the third trimester of pregnancy. [2]
- Tainted products: the FDA has warned the public about several supplements promoted for arthritis or pain that were tainted with prescription drugs. [3]
- Swollen, red or feverish joints need a doctor. The EU monograph for devil's claw says joint pain with swelling, redness or fever should be examined by a doctor. [4]
What this page covers
Most of the research below is about osteoarthritis (OA), the wear-and-tear type of arthritis. It is usually managed with a combination of treatments, which may include exercise and weight loss. [3] The NHS adds that prolonged morning stiffness can be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis, a different condition. [5] This page does not cover inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, because the herb sources we read were about osteoarthritis. For non-herbal approaches see acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis and Ayurveda for joint pain and arthritis.How to read it: traditional use is long use for a purpose, not proof. Research findings are rated as established, promising but limited, mixed, insufficient evidence, no good evidence of benefit or evidence of harm. Pain scores are self-reported and affected by placebo, so small differences may not be noticeable.
Overall picture
A 2014 evaluation summarized by NCCIH concluded that Boswellia serrata and avocado-soybean unsaponifiables may produce slight improvements in pain and function, but so small that patients might not find them meaningful. For all other oral herbal products, the research was too small for conclusions. [3] A 2009 systematic review of 35 studies of 22 herbal products found that, despite some evidence, the effectiveness of none was proven beyond doubt, and no serious side effects were reported. [6] NCCIH notes little information is available on the safety of most herbs used for OA. [3]Herb by herb
| Herb (plant part) | Traditional use | What research found | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turmeric (Curcuma longa, rhizome) | Used in Chinese, Ayurvedic, Islamic and Thai traditional medicine for conditions including arthritis [1] | Several meta-analyses of oral turmeric or curcumin for knee OA: initial evidence positive, higher-quality studies needed. Unclear whether curcumin ointment helps knee pain. [1] | Promising but limited |
| Boswellia (Boswellia serrata, gum resin) | Used in Ayurveda for arthritis and inflammation [7] | NCCIH: several studies suggest oral boswellia may reduce OA pain, but most are small and low quality. [7] A 2024 meta-analysis of 13 knee OA trials found no significant overall effect because of high heterogeneity, though subgroup analysis favored boswellia. [8] | Promising but limited |
| Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens, root) | Traditional product for minor joint pain in the EU [4] | Trials reported favorable effects on OA pain in the 2009 review. [6] | Promising but limited |
| Willow bark (Salix species; the EU monograph covers several, and Salix alba is a GBIF-accepted name) | Traditional product for minor joint pain in the EU [2] | For willow bark extract, moderate evidence for low back pain, but conflicting results in osteoarthritis. [9] | Mixed |
| Rose hip and seed powder (species not stated in the abstract we read) | Not covered in sources read | A powder from rose hip and seed reported favorable effects on OA pain in the 2009 review. [6] | Promising but limited |
Plant names above were checked against GBIF. [10]
Topical herbal products
A 2013 evaluation summarized by NCCIH concluded that arnica gel and comfrey extract gel might help OA pain, and capsicum extract gel probably does not. It also notes that products such as capsicum gel can cause skin irritation. [3] These plants have documented safety issues, so see the individual pages for arnica and comfrey before considering any product. This page gives no preparation instructions.Frequently asked questions
Does turmeric help arthritis?
NCCIH says the initial evidence for knee osteoarthritis is positive but higher-quality evidence is needed, and highly absorbable curcumin products have been linked to liver damage. [1]
Is boswellia better than ibuprofen?
Proper evidence not found in the sources we read: we read NCCIH's boswellia page and a 2024 meta-analysis, and neither gave a head-to-head comparison with ibuprofen. [7][8]
Can willow bark be taken with aspirin or blood thinners?
The EU herbal committee says combining willow bark with salicylates or other NSAIDs is not recommended without medical advice, and it may increase the effects of anticoagulants. [2]
Are arthritis supplements ever contaminated?
Yes. The FDA has warned about several products promoted for arthritis or pain that were tainted with prescription drugs. [3] See product quality and contamination.
What else is recommended for osteoarthritis?
The NHS says mild symptoms can sometimes be managed with simple measures, and NCCIH says OA is usually managed with exercise, weight loss and medicines. [5][3]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety by herb
- Turmeric: conventionally formulated oral turmeric is likely safe for up to 2 to 3 months per NCCIH. Use in pregnancy may be unsafe. [1] See curcumin supplements and turmeric.
- Boswellia: likely safe by mouth in clinical trials. Little is known about medicinal amounts in pregnancy or breastfeeding. [7] See boswellia.
- Devil's claw: a safety review of 28 trials found minor adverse events in about 3% of patients, mainly digestive, and the authors said more safety data are urgently needed. [11] The EU monograph lists active gastric or duodenal ulcer as a contraindication, advises people with gallstones to consult a physician, and does not recommend use in pregnancy and lactation. [4] See devil's claw.
- Willow bark: see the warnings above. [2] See willow bark.
- Medicines in general: the NHS lists blood thinners such as warfarin among medicines that may not mix with herbal medicines and advises checking with a pharmacist first. [12] See how interactions work.
- Surgery: tell the surgical team about every herb. See supplements before surgery.